Embolic protection systems having radiopaque filter mesh

ABSTRACT

A device for filtering emboli from blood flowing through a lumen defined by the walls of a vessel in a patient&#39;s body. The filter element is expandable from a collapsed configuration when the filter element is restrained to an expanded configuration when the filter element is unrestrained. The filter element includes a mesh including strands, each strand having a diameter. The mesh includes at least one radiopaque strand and at least one non-radiopaque strand, and wherein each strand has an index of wire stiffness EI, where EI is the mathematical product of the Young&#39;s modulus (E) and the second moment of area (I), and wherein the largest EI of a strand is no more than five times the smallest EI of a strand.

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/775,818, filed Feb. 22, 2006, entitled “Embolic Protection System Having Radiopaque Filter Mesh,” the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to embolic protection systems, and, more particularly, to embolic protection systems for use in blood vessels.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Vessels are commonly treated to reduce or eliminate narrowings caused by arteriosclerotic disease. Interventional treatments can include use of balloon angioplasty, stenting, thrombectomy, atherectomy, and other procedures. During treatment particulate debris can be generated at the treatment site. Infarcts, strokes, and other major or minor adverse events are caused when debris embolizes into vasculature distal to the treatment site.

To prevent embolization of debris, embolic protection devices have been developed. During a procedure such devices can be placed distal or proximal to the treatment site. Embolic protection devices can remove emboli from the bloodstream by filtering debris from blood, by occluding blood flow followed by aspiration of debris, or can cause blood flow reversal to effect removal of debris. The shape, length and other characteristics of an embolic protection device are typically chosen based on the anatomical characteristics in the vicinity of the treatment site. However, some anatomies present specific challenges due to the anatomical shape or configuration.

Difficulties can arise where embolic protection devices are not properly deployed within the anatomy. For example, if a device does not properly engage a lumenal wall, leaving a gap, then particulate matter entrained in a fluid in the lumen can bypass the protection device. It would be an advantage to be able to visualize whether or not there are gaps between the embolic protection device and the lumenal wall. Also, when a protection device is being advanced or withdrawn from a lumen it may engage with an obstruction. The obstruction may be a stent that has been placed in a blood vessel, an area of plaque build-up, lumen tortuosity, or other structure. The operator of the embolic protection device may need to employ different techniques to advance or withdraw the device depending on the cause of engagement. Thus, it would be advantageous for the operator to be able to visualize the exact location of the device in the lumen.

Difficulties can also arise when recovering an embolic protection device. One problem that can occur is that the embolic protection device may require excessive force during recovery, for example when drawing the device into a recovery catheter. The causes of such excessive force can vary. For example the device could be filled with embolic debris and thereby not fit into the lumen of a recovery catheter, the device may be caught on a structure such as a stent or a catheter tip, or other causes. It would be advantageous to the operator to visualize the embolic protection device so that appropriate actions can be taken so as to successfully recover the device. Further discussion of these issues is provided in U.S. Patent Publication No. 2002/0188314 A1, by Anderson et. al., entitled “Radiopaque Distal Embolic Protection Device”, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The current art employs a variety of approaches to solve the problem of visualizing an embolic protection device in a patient. All of the current approaches have limitations. For example, some devices have radiopaque coatings; however coatings may become separated from the underlying substrate. Radiopaque filler materials have been employed in polymer film devices; however the fillers detract from the mechanical properties of the films and the filler/film composites, being thin, are not very visible. Strands of drawn filled tubing (DFT) have been used and have good mechanical and radiopacity characteristics; however DFT is expensive. Individual strands of radiopaque wire, such as platinum, gold, tungsten, and their alloys have good radiopacity but can have unsuitable strength or elastic yield limits, and when comprising a portion of the wires in a woven structure such as a braid, can alter the braid wire spacing in the vicinity of the strand of radiopaque wire due to differing mechanical properties compared to neighboring non-radiopaque wires. For some filter devices, uniform wire spacing is desired and altered braid wire spacing can cause unacceptably large pores in the braid.

Accordingly, a need exists for an embolic protection device having improved radiopacity that is inexpensive, durable, provides visibility to the appropriate regions of the device, and which uses technology that does not compromise the performance of the device.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to one aspect of the present invention, an embolic protection device comprises a woven mesh comprising radiopaque and non-radiopaque wires. The mechanical properties of the radiopaque wires are selected to match the mechanical properties of the non-radiopaque wires. The non-radiopaque wires can be superelastic. The radiopaque wires are woven into pre-programmed locations so that after processing the woven mesh into a device the radiopaque wires will concentrate at a preferred location within the device. A method is provided in which the device operator visualizes the radiopaque wires so as to guide how the device is utilized in a patient.

The invention provides a device for filtering emboli from blood flowing through a lumen defined by the walls of a vessel in a patient's body, comprising: a filter element being expandable from a collapsed configuration when the filter element is restrained to an expanded configuration when the filter element is unrestrained, wherein the filter element comprises a mesh comprising strands, each strand having a diameter, the mesh comprising at least one radiopaque strand and at least one non-radiopaque strand, and wherein each strand has an index of wire stiffness EI, where EI is the mathematical product of the Young's modulus (E) and the second moment of area (I), and wherein the largest EI of a strand is no more than five times the smallest EI of a strand.

The invention provides a method of deploying a device for filtering emboli from blood flowing through a lumen defined by the walls of a vessel in a patient's body comprising: providing the device for filtering emboli, the device comprising a filter element being expandable from a collapsed configuration when the filter element is restrained to an expanded configuration when the filter element is unrestrained, wherein the filter element comprises a mesh comprising strands, each strand having a diameter, the mesh comprising at least one radiopaque strand and at least one non-radiopaque strand, and wherein each strand has an index of wire stiffness EI, where EI is the mathematical product of the Young's modulus (E) and the second moment of area (I), and wherein the largest EI of a strand is no more than five times the smallest EI of a strand; delivering the device percutaneously to a region of interest in the lumen of the patient's body; and using fluoroscopy to visualize the filter element in the lumen of the patient's body.

The invention provides a mesh comprising strands, each strand having a diameter, the mesh comprising at least one radiopaque strand and at least one non-radiopaque strand, and wherein each strand has an index of wire stiffness EI, where EI is the mathematical product of the Young's modulus (E) and the second moment of area (I), and wherein the largest EI of a strand is no more than five times the smallest EI of a strand.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above and further advantages of the invention may be better understood by referring to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

FIGS. 1A to 1C illustrate conceptually a partial plan view of braided tubular mesh having radiopaque and non-radiopaque wires in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 illustrates conceptually a side view of a filter formed from braided tubular mesh in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 illustrates conceptually a method for forming a filter from braided tubular mesh in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate conceptually plan views of braided mesh in accordance with the present invention.

FIGS. 5A to 5E illustrate cross sectional or side views of wires in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides a device for filtering emboli from blood flowing through a lumen defined by the walls of a vessel in a patient's body, comprising: a filter element being expandable from a collapsed configuration when the filter element is restrained to an expanded configuration when the filter element is unrestrained, wherein the filter element comprises a mesh comprising strands, each strand having a diameter, the mesh comprising at least one radiopaque strand and at least one non-radiopaque strand, and wherein each strand has an index of wire stiffness EI, where EI is the mathematical product of the Young's modulus (E) and the second moment of area (I), and wherein the largest EI of a strand is no more than five times the smallest EI of a strand.

In one embodiment, the device further comprises an elongate support member and the filter element is carried on a portion of the elongate support member. In another embodiment, the filter element has proximal and distal portions and a central portion, the filter element having a shape in the expanded configuration which defines a cavity having a proximal facing opening. In one embodiment, the filter element has a proximal facing opening portion and this portion is radiopaque.

The filter element may be self-expanding or self-contracting. The mesh may be tubular and/or braided. In one embodiment, each strand has a round cross-section. In another embodiment, the mesh comprises only two types of strands, a first type being a radiopaque strand and having a diameter D1 and a second type being a non-radiopaque strand and having a diameter D2. In one embodiment, the Young's modulus of the radiopaque strand and the Young's modulus of the non-radiopaque strand differ by 10 percent or more. In another embodiment, the Young's modulus of the radiopaque strand and the Young's modulus of the non-radiopaque strand differ by 20 percent or more.

In one embodiment, the mesh comprises more radiopaque strands than non-radiopaque strands. In another embodiment, the mesh comprises more non-radiopaque strands than radiopaque strands. In embodiments of the invention, the largest EI of a strand is no more than four times the smallest EI of a strand, the largest EI of a strand is no more than two times the smallest EI of a strand, the largest EI of a strand is no more than 1.5 times the smallest EI of a strand, or the largest EI of a strand is no more than 1.3 times the smallest EI of a strand.

In embodiments of the invention, the mesh comprises pores and when the mesh is at rest in free space no pore has an area more than five times the mesh pore size, when the mesh is at rest in free space no pore has an area more than four times the mesh pore size, when the mesh is at rest in free space no pore has an area more than three times the mesh pore size, when the mesh is at rest in free space no pore has an area more than two times the mesh pore size, when the mesh is at rest in free space no pore has an area more than 1.5 times the mesh pore size, or when the mesh is at rest in free space no pore has an area more than 1.2 times the mesh pore size. The mesh pore size is the average area of five pores serially adjacent to the pore.

In embodiments of the invention, the mesh comprises at least two types of strands, each strand having a round cross-section, a first type of strand being a radiopaque strand and having a diameter D1 and a second type of strand being a non-radiopaque strand and having a diameter D2, diameter D1 being larger than diameter D2, wherein the mesh comprises pores and when the mesh is at rest in free space no pore adjacent to a strand having a diameter D1 has an area more than five times the mesh pore size, the mesh pore size being the average area of five pores serially adjacent to the pore. In other related embodiments, when the mesh is at rest in free space no pore adjacent to a strand having a diameter D1 has an area more than four times the mesh pore size, more than three times the mesh pore size, more than two times the mesh pore size, more than 1.5 times the mesh pore size, or more than 1.2 times the mesh pore size.

In one embodiment, the at least one radiopaque strand is made of homogeneous metal or metal alloy. In another embodiment, the at least one radiopaque strand is selected from the group consisting of strands made of gold, platinum, tungsten, tantalum, and alloys thereof. Other radiopaque substances may be used. In an embodiment, the at least one non-radiopaque strand is made of metal. In one embodiment, the at least one non-radiopaque strand is selected from the group consisting of strands made of stainless steel and nitinol. Other non-radiopaque substances may be used. In one embodiment, the at least one non-radiopaque strand is superelastic.

In embodiments of the invention, the largest diameter of a strand is no more than five times the smallest diameter of a strand, the largest diameter of a strand is no more than four times the smallest diameter of a strand, the largest diameter of a strand is no more than two times the smallest diameter of a strand, or the largest diameter of a strand is no more than 1.5 times the smallest diameter of a strand. In one embodiment, the largest diameter of a strand is no more than two times the smallest diameter of a strand, and the largest EI of a strand is no more than two times the smallest EI of a strand.

In one embodiment, the at least one radiopaque strand is a monofilament. In one embodiment, the at least one non-radiopaque strand is a monofilament. In another embodiment, the mesh comprises only two types of strands, a first type being a radiopaque strand and having a diameter D1 and a second type being a non-radiopaque strand and having a diameter D2, and both the first and second types of strands are monofilaments. In one embodiment, the at least one radiopaque strand is a multifilament wire. In another embodiment, at least one strand is a monofilament wire from which some material has been removed in the form of slots. In one embodiment, the at least one non-radiopaque strand is made of nitinol.

The invention provides a method of deploying a device for filtering emboli from blood flowing through a lumen defined by the walls of a vessel in a patient's body comprising: providing the device for filtering emboli, the device comprising a filter element being expandable from a collapsed configuration when the filter element is restrained to an expanded configuration when the filter element is unrestrained, wherein the filter element comprises a mesh comprising strands, each strand having a diameter, the mesh comprising at least one radiopaque strand and at least one non-radiopaque strand, and wherein each strand has an index of wire stiffness EI, where EI is the mathematical product of the Young's modulus (E) and the second moment of area (I), and wherein the largest EI of a strand is no more than five times the smallest EI of a strand; delivering the device percutaneously to a region of interest in the lumen of the patient's body; and using fluoroscopy to visualize the filter element in the lumen of the patient's body. The device used in this method can be any of the embodiments described herein. In one embodiment, the filter element has proximal and distal portions and a central portion, the filter element having a shape in the expanded configuration which defines a cavity having a proximal facing opening, the filter element has a proximal facing opening portion and this portion is radiopaque, and the proximal facing opening portion of the filter element is visualized to confirm that this portion is adequately deployed against the walls of the vessel.

The invention provides a mesh comprising strands, each strand having a diameter, the mesh comprising at least one radiopaque strand and at least one non-radiopaque strand, and wherein each strand has an index of wire stiffness EI, where EI is the mathematical product of the Young's modulus (E) and the second moment of area (I), and wherein the largest EI of a strand is no more than five times the smallest EI of a strand. The mesh can be any of the embodiments described herein in connection with the mesh that is part of the device for filtering emboli.

In the discussion below the invention is described using as examples filters comprised of braided metal strands. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the examples below. For example, the mesh of the invention can be comprised of strands that are woven, non-woven, or knitted to form the mesh. The mesh can have uniform strand spacing so as to define a structure with relatively uniformly sized openings between strands or can have variable strand spacing so as to define a structure with varied size openings between strands. The mesh can be coated with an elastic polymer film in whole or in part, or with another material, so as to reduce in size or eliminate the openings between strands. The coated mesh may be partially or totally occlusive to flow of fluid or particles therethrough. In some embodiments the metal strands may be superelastic alloys comprised of radiopaque alloy constituents. In some preferred embodiments a metal strand is comprised of nickel-titanium-platinum or nickel-titanium-tantalum alloy. In addition, some or all of the strands may be comprised of materials other than metal including but not limited to engineering polymers such as PEEK (polyetheretherketone), liquid crystal, polyamide, or polyester; ceramics; glass-ceramics; metallic glasses; or other materials known in the art. In some embodiments the aforementioned materials can be comprised of radiopaque filler materials. In some embodiments the strands are homogeneous in the sense that they are not comprised of separate layers. It is further understood that the cross section of some or all of the strands can be round, ovoid, square, rectangular, triangular, irregular, symmetrical, non-symmetrical, or other shapes.

FIGS. 1A to 1C illustrate conceptually partial plan views of braided meshes having radiopaque and non-radiopaque wires in accordance with the present invention. For clarity only the braided wires along half of the braided perimeter of the tube are shown. Braided wires arranged below the illustrated wires are not shown. Also for clarity the radiopaque wires in FIGS. 1A to 1C are shown as having slightly increased diameter as compared to non-radiopaque wires, although it is understood that the relative sizes of the radiopaque and non-radiopaque filaments may not be as illustrated and generally will be determined according to the teachings below. Further, strands are generally illustrated as intersecting at angles of approximately 90°, although it is understood that within the scope of the invention strands can intersect or overlap at any angle.

In FIG. 1A braided tubular mesh 10 is comprised of interwoven wires 12 and 14. Non-radiopaque wires 12 comprise the majority of the wires and two sets of adjacent pairs of radiopaque wires 14 are interwoven with the non-radiopaque wires 12. Braided tubular mesh 10 has a number of pores 16 defined by the wires, and each pore has a size, the pore size defined as the area bounded by the wires forming the perimeter of the pore. Braided tubular mesh 10 can be formed of a variety of materials. Metal wires are preferred, and superelastic nitinol is particularly preferred for the non-radiopaque wires 12. Braided tubular mesh 10 has a diameter D, which is the diameter of the braided tubular mesh at rest in free space. Diameter D is determined by braiding processing parameters and wire diameters used. Heat treatments may be used to help stabilize diameter D, especially when wire materials such as nitinol are used. A braid comprised of nitinol wire is typically heat set at 400 to 600° C. for 1 to 60 minutes to stabilize the braid diameter. In a preferred embodiment nitinol wire is heat set at 425° C. for 20 minutes to stabilize the braid diameter. Non-nitinol wires may be annealed at temperatures that will stress relieve or even recrystallize the materials in order to stabilize the tubular braid diameter. It is understood that self-expanding or self-contracting devices can be comprised of braided tubular mesh 10. Self-expanding devices are devices in which, during use, braided tubular mesh 10 is compressed and subsequently allowed to expand without application of forces external to the mesh for causing expansion. Self-contracting devices are devices in which, during use, braided tubular mesh 10 is expanded and subsequently allowed to contract without application of forces external to the mesh for causing contraction. It is advantageous to construct self-expanding or self-contracting devices at least in part from wires that have elastic strain limits higher than the elastic strains generated in the wires during use of these devices, and to process the wires so as to retain or enhance the elastic strain limits of the wires chosen. Devices which are neither self-expanding nor self-contracting may also be comprised of braided tubular mesh 10. Devices of the invention may also be comprised of braided tubular mesh or strands which deform upon expansion or contraction. The strands of such devices may be processed or chosen such that the elastic strain limit of the strands are less than the elastic strains generated in the strand during use of the device.

FIG. 1B illustrates braided tubular mesh 10 comprised of a single radiopaque wire 14 interwoven with non-radiopaque wires 12 and FIG. 1C illustrates braided tubular mesh 10 comprised primarily of radiopaque wires 14 interwoven with a minority of non-radiopaque wires 12. It is understood that multiple combinations of interwoven radiopaque and non-radiopaque wires 14 and 12 are possible within the scope of the invention, and that the number, proportion, and positioning of radiopaque and non-radiopaque wires within the mesh will be chosen based on the desired device functional and other requirements.

FIG. 2 illustrates conceptually a side view of filter 20 formed from a braided tubular mesh 10 comprised of interwoven radiopaque and non-radiopaque wires 12 and 14 in accordance with the present invention. For clarity the wires on the back side of the filter are not shown. Filters similar to that shown in FIG. 2 can be made by enlarging a pore in the side wall of the braid using a tapered mandrel and stabilized in the desired shape by heat treating on a mandrel. Processing details for making a filter using these methods are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,325,815 B1 to Kusleika et al., entitled “Temporary Vascular Filter”, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. In filter 20, radiopaque wires 14 are bunched at the opening of the filter, providing improved visibility under fluoroscopy of the perimeter 26 of mouth 24 of the filter. In an alternate embodiment radiopaque wires 14 are bunched distal to mouth 24 of the filter, providing improved visibility under fluoroscopy of the portion of the filter apposing a vessel wall during use. Radiopaque wires 14 also extend throughout the body 22 of the filter mesh, providing visibility under fluoroscopy to the body of the filter.

FIG. 3 illustrates conceptually a method for forming filter 20 from braided tubular mesh 10 comprised of interwoven radiopaque and non-radiopaque wires 12 and 14 in accordance with the present invention. Pore 35 is chosen as the pore to enlarge into mouth 24 of filter 20. Pore 35 is chosen specifically such that radiopaque wires 14 a will be bunched along the perimeter 26 of filter mouth 24 during the filter forming process. In FIG. 3, pore 35 is located 3 pores from the intersecting pore 38 of radiopaque filaments 14 a. In one example, braided tubular mesh 10 is comprised of 36 wires and has a diameter D of 3 mm before forming into filter 20. Two pairs of radiopaque wires 14 a are interwoven into tubular mesh 10 as illustrated in FIG. 3, and the remaining 32 wires are non-radiopaque nitinol. Pore 35 is located 8 pores from intersecting pore 38 of radiopaque filaments 14 a. In another example, braided tubular mesh 10 is comprised of 72 wires and has a diameter D of 7 mm before forming into filter 20. Two pairs of radiopaque wires 14 a are interwoven into tubular mesh 10 as illustrated in FIG. 3, and the remaining 68 wires are non-radiopaque. Pore 35 is located 15 pores from intersecting pore 38 of radiopaque filaments 14 a. It is understood that the location chosen for piercing braided tubular mesh 10 comprised of interwoven radiopaque and non-radiopaque wires 12 and 14 will vary within the scope of the invention and will depend on the application contemplated and results desired.

When adding radiopaque wires to a mesh comprised primarily of non-radiopaque wires it is often desired to increase the diameter of the radiopaque wire relative to the diameter of the non-radiopaque wire so as to increase the visibility of the radiopaque wire under fluoroscopy. FIG. 4A illustrates the effect of adding a larger wire 42 to a mesh 40, wherein the pore sizes 45 adjacent to the larger wires are increased in area as compared to pore sizes 47 in the portion of the mesh comprised of smaller wires 44 due to the presence of the larger wire 42 relative to the adjacent smaller wires 44 in the mesh. For certain applications, including some filter devices, large pores in the braid can be unacceptable because the large pores will allow large emboli to pass through the filter.

FIG. 4B illustrates braided tubular mesh 40 comprised of a large wire 42 and multiple smaller wires 44 having uniformly sized pores 48, a configuration preferred for filtering applications such as for distal embolic protection devices. The uniformly sized pores illustrated in FIG. 4B are achieved by using similar stiffness wires in the mesh. A useful index of wire stiffness is EI, where E is the Young's modulus of the wire material, I is the second moment of area of the wire, and EI is the mathematical product of the two. In a preferred embodiment of the device, the largest EI of wires used in the device is no more than 5 times the smallest EI of wires used in the device. In a more preferred embodiment of the device, the largest EI of wires used in the device is no more than 4 times the smallest EI of wires used in the device. In a further preferred embodiment of the device, the largest EI of wires used in the device is no more than 2 times the smallest EI of wires used in the device. In a further preferred embodiment of the device, the largest EI of wires used in the device is no more than 1.5 times the smallest EI of wires used in the device. In a further preferred embodiment of the device, the largest EI of wires used in the device is no more than 1.3 times the smallest EI of wires used in the device.

Referring again to FIG. 4A, the area of pore 45 a adjacent to large wire 42 is much greater than the average area of the five pores 47 a, 47 b, 47 c, 47 d, and 47 e serially adjacent to pore 45 a. For convenience we hereby define the average area of the five pores 47 a, 47 b, 47 c, 47 d, and 47 e serially adjacent to pore 45 a as the mesh pore size. This definition allows us to apply the inventive teachings herein to various filter shapes with varying pore sizes, including tapered filters where the pore size varies along the length of the filter, such as the filter illustrated in FIG. 2. In a preferred embodiment of the mesh at rest in free space, the size of pore 45 a adjacent to large wire 42 is no more than 5 times larger than the mesh pore size. In a more preferred embodiment of the mesh, the size of pore 45 a adjacent to large wire 42 in the mesh at rest in free space is no more than 4 times larger than the mesh pore size. In a further preferred embodiment of the mesh, the size of pore 45 a adjacent to large wire 42 in the mesh at rest in free space is no more than 3 times larger than the mesh pore size. In a further preferred embodiment of the mesh, the size of pore 45 a adjacent to large wire 42 in the mesh at rest in free space is no more than 2 times larger than the mesh pore size. In a further preferred embodiment of the mesh, the size of pore 45 a adjacent to large wire 42 in the mesh at rest in free space is no more than 1.5 times larger than the mesh pore size. In a further preferred embodiment of the mesh, the size of pore 45 a adjacent to large wire 42 in the mesh at rest in free space is no more than 1.2 times larger than the mesh pore size.

To achieve the uniform pore size illustrated in FIG. 4B various approaches can be used to match wire stiffnesses. In one embodiment a tubular braided mesh of monofilament 52 (see FIG. 5A) stainless steel wires incorporates an interwoven monofilament wire having a larger diameter than the stainless steel wires, with the Young's modulus of the interwoven larger wire less than that of stainless steel. Suitable choices of material for the larger wire include gold and platinum (see Table 1 below). The lower modulus of gold and platinum relative to stainless steel will offset the larger diameter of the radiopaque wire such that the calculated EI's of the radiopaque and non-radiopaque wires will be equal or similar. TABLE 1 Material Young's Modulus, E (GPa) Gold 78 Nitinol (Austenitic) 75-83 Platinum 168 Tungsten 411 Tantalum 186 Stainless Steel 199

In an alternate embodiment, multifilament wires 53 can be used (see FIG. 5B). The diameter of each individual filament 54 of a multifilament wire is smaller than the overall diameter of the wire 53 and this allows higher modulus materials to be incorporated into some or all of the filaments 54 of a larger multifilament wire 53. For example, braided tubular mesh comprised of nitinol monofilament wires could incorporate one or more interwoven multifilament wires comprised of gold, platinum, tungsten, tantalum, or other radiopaque materials. In one embodiment of a multifilament wire more than one filament is twisted into a helical shape around a central filament. In another embodiment of multifilament wire 53 individual monofilaments are interwoven into the braid adjacent to each other as shown in FIG. 5E. It is understood that many other combinations of filaments can be devised by one skilled in the art within the scope of the invention.

In a further embodiment, FIGS. 5C and 5D illustrate slotted wire 56 in which monofilament wire 57 has had material removed in the form of slots 58, for example by grinding. Slots 58 have opposing faces 59 and due to material having been removed from the perimeter of the wire to form slots 58 the overall modulus of wire 56 is reduced.

One example of deriving uniform pore size by matching wire stiffnesses is as follows. Tubular braided mesh is comprised of 36 Nitinol monofilament wires of 0.003″ (0.0076 cm) diameter. It is desired to improve the visibility of the mesh by substituting a monofilament circular cross section tungsten wire for one of the nitinol wires, and to do so without significantly changing the pore size of the mesh. The appropriate diameter of the tungsten wire is calculated as shown below. 1/ρ=M/(E×I)

-   -   Where ρ=the density of the material in bending, M=the bending         moment, and E & I are as defined above. Equating the bending         moments of nitinol and tungsten wires yields:         (E _(w) ×I _(w))/ρ_(w) =M=(E _(NiTi) ×I _(NiTi))/ρ_(NiTi)         and         I=(πd ² L ³ρ)/(48g)     -   Where π=3.14159, d=monofilament diameter, L=the unsupported         transverse length of the filament, and g=the gravitational         constant By combining terms:         E _(w)×(πd _(w) ² L _(w) ³ρ_(w))/(48g ρ_(w))=E _(NiTi)×(πd         _(NiTi) ² L _(NiTi) ³ρ_(NiTi))/(48g ρ_(NiTi))     -   and by eliminating like terms:         E _(w) ×d _(w) ² =E _(NiTi) ×d _(NiTi) ²     -   Substituting known values and solving for d_(w) yields         d_(w)=0.0013″ (0.0033 cm)

In another example, the appropriate diameter of gold wire to be substituted into the mesh, using the same calculation as above except substituting into the equations the material parameters of gold in place of the parameters of tungsten, would be d_(Au)=0.0031″ (0.0079 cm).

In yet another example, the appropriate diameter of nitinol monofilament wires to be braided with 0.0024″ (0.0061 cm) outer diameter 1×7 stranded tungsten wire (constructed from a central monofilament of tungsten surrounded by a ring of 6 tungsten monofilaments of the same diameter as the central filament) into tubular braided mesh having uniform pore size is calculated as follows. The equations above are used to calculate EI for each individual tungsten filament (having a filament diameter of 0.0008″ (0.002 cm) in this example). The EI of the stranded wire is approximated as seven times that of one tungsten monofilament (assuming the friction between filaments is small compared to the bending stiffness of the filaments, therefore no adjustment is made for friction). The equations above are solved for d_(NiTi) by equating EI for the nitinol wire with the calculated El for the tungsten stranded wire. In this example d_(NiTi) is approximately equal to 0.0047″ (0.012 cm). It is understood that improved calculations for the stiffness of multifilament wire can be employed as part of these calculations. Improved calculations may account for frictional forces between strands, non-linear configuration of some or all of the strands, or other factors.

Another means for achieving uniform pore size braided mesh comprised of some radiopaque wires is by matching radiopaque and non-radiopaque wire diameters. The smaller the distance between interwoven radiopaque and non-radiopaque wires the greater the variation in pore size caused by differing wire diameters. In a preferred embodiment of the device, the largest diameter of wires used in the device is no more than 5 times the smallest diameter of wires used in the device. In a more preferred embodiment of the device, the largest diameter of wires used in the device is no more than 4 times the smallest diameter of wires used in the device. In a further preferred embodiment of the device, the largest diameter of wires used in the device is no more than 2 times the smallest diameter of wires used in the device. In a further preferred embodiment of the device, the largest diameter of wires used in the device is no more than 1.5 times the smallest diameter of wires used in the device. In a most preferred embodiment both the wire diameter and the wire stiffness of both the radiopaque and non-radiopaque wires are similar.

A method of using a device made from the inventive mesh is as follows. An embolic protection device, made using methods similar to those discussed in connection with FIG. 2, is delivered percutaneously to a region of interest in the body of a patient using methods known in the art. Optionally a catheter is used to deliver the filter to the region of interest. Fluoroscopy is used by the operator to visualize the mouth and the body of the filter to ascertain that the filter is positioned appropriately in relation to a treatment or diagnostic site, for example, positioned such that the mouth of the filter is distal to a stenosis in an artery, and also by example, positioned such that the body of the filter is in a healthy region of vessel suitable for use as a landing zone for the filter. The filter is then deployed and the catheter (if used) is removed from the vicinity of the filter. The operator uses fluoroscopy to ascertain that the mouth of the filter is adequately deployed against the vessel wall with no gaps, distal to the lesion, and proximal to any important side branch vessels. Radiopaque contrast media may be injected at this time or at any time to assist with visualization of the patient's anatomy. The treatment site is treated, for example by dilating a lesion with a balloon dilatation catheter and by deploying a stent or drug eluting stent at the treatment site, although other methods known in the art can be used.

After or during treatment or both, the operator may visualize the mouth and body of the device and may adjust the position of the device to assure, for example, that the device is properly located along the length of the vessel and properly apposed to the vessel wall. After treatment the device is recovered. Optionally a catheter is used during the recovery process. At least a portion of the filter is drawn into the recovery catheter (if used) and the mouth and body of the filter are observed under fluoroscopy to ascertain when the device is sufficiently drawn into the catheter. If difficulty is encountered while drawing the filter into the catheter the devices are again imaged under fluoroscopy and the cause of the difficulty is diagnosed in part by observing the radiopaque portions of the device. The filter (and recovery catheter if used) are then withdrawn from the vessel. If resistance to withdrawal is encountered then the devices are imaged under fluoroscopy and the cause of resistance is determined and eliminated.

While this document has described an invention mainly in relation to braided tubular mesh used for embolic protection filtering devices used in arteries, it is envisioned that the invention can be applied to other conduits in the body as well including veins, bronchi, ducts, ureters, urethra, and other lumens intended for the passage of air, fluids, or solids. The invention can be applied to other devices such as vena cava filters, stents, septal defect closure devices, and other devices comprised of mesh having the benefits described above.

While the various embodiments of the present invention have related to embolic protection filtering devices, the scope of the present invention is not so limited. Further, while choices for materials and configurations have been described above with respect to certain embodiments, one of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the materials described and configurations are applicable across the embodiments.

The above description and the drawings are provided for the purpose of describing embodiments of the invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 

1. A device for filtering emboli from blood flowing through a lumen defined by the walls of a vessel in a patient's body, comprising: a filter element being expandable from a collapsed configuration when the filter element is restrained to an expanded configuration when the filter element is unrestrained, wherein the filter element comprises a mesh comprising strands, each strand having a diameter, the mesh comprising at least one radiopaque strand and at least one non-radiopaque strand, and wherein each strand has an index of wire stiffness EI, where EI is the mathematical product of the Young's modulus (E) and the second moment of area (I), and wherein the largest EI of a strand is no more than five times the smallest EI of a strand.
 2. The device of claim 1, further comprising an elongate support member and wherein the filter element is carried on a portion of the elongate support member.
 3. The device of claim 1, wherein the filter element has proximal and distal portions and a central portion, the filter element having a shape in the expanded configuration which defines a cavity having a proximal facing opening.
 4. The device of claim 3, wherein the filter element has a proximal facing opening portion and this portion is radiopaque.
 5. The device of claim 1, wherein the filter element is self-expanding.
 6. The device of claim 1, wherein the filter element is self-contracting.
 7. The device of claim 1, wherein the mesh is tubular.
 8. The device of claim 7, wherein the mesh is braided.
 9. The device of claim 1, wherein each strand has a round cross-section.
 10. The device of claim 9, wherein the mesh comprises only two types of strands, a first type being a radiopaque strand and having a diameter D1 and a second type being a non-radiopaque strand and having a diameter D2.
 11. The device of claim 1, wherein the Young's modulus of the radiopaque strand and the Young's modulus of the non-radiopaque strand differ by 10 percent or more.
 12. The device of claim 1, wherein the Young's modulus of the radiopaque strand and the Young's modulus of the non-radiopaque strand differ by 20 percent or more.
 13. The device of claim 1, wherein the mesh comprises more radiopaque strands than non-radiopaque strands.
 14. The device of claim 1, wherein the mesh comprises more non-radiopaque strands than radiopaque strands.
 15. The device of claim 1, wherein the largest EI of a strand is no more than four times the smallest EI of a strand.
 16. The device of claim 1, wherein the largest EI of a strand is no more than two times the smallest EI of a strand.
 17. The device of claim 1, wherein the largest EI of a strand is no more than 1.5 times the smallest EI of a strand.
 18. The device of claim 1, wherein the largest EI of a strand is no more than 1.3 times the smallest EI of a strand.
 19. The device of claim 1, wherein the mesh comprises pores and when the mesh is at rest in free space no pore has an area more than five times the mesh pore size, the mesh pore size being the average area of five pores serially adjacent to the pore.
 20. The device of claim 1, wherein the mesh comprises pores and when the mesh is at rest in free space no pore has an area more than four times the mesh pore size, the mesh pore size being the average area of five pores serially adjacent to the pore.
 21. The device of claim 1, wherein the mesh comprises pores and when the mesh is at rest in free space no pore has an area more than three times the mesh pore size, the mesh pore size being the average area of five pores serially adjacent to the pore.
 22. The device of claim 1, wherein the mesh comprises pores and when the mesh is at rest in free space no pore has an area more than two times the mesh pore size, the mesh pore size being the average area of five pores serially adjacent to the pore.
 23. The device of claim 1, wherein the mesh comprises pores and when the mesh is at rest in free space no pore has an area more than 1.5 times the mesh pore size, the mesh pore size being the average area of five pores serially adjacent to the pore.
 24. The device of claim 1, wherein the mesh comprises pores and when the mesh is at rest in free space no pore has an area more than 1.2 times the mesh pore size, the mesh pore size being the average area of five pores serially adjacent to the pore.
 25. The device of claim 1, wherein the mesh comprises at least two types of strands, each strand having a round cross-section, a first type of strand being a radiopaque strand and having a diameter D1 and a second type of strand being a non-radiopaque strand and having a diameter D2, diameter D1 being larger than diameter D2, wherein the mesh comprises pores and when the mesh is at rest in free space no pore adjacent to a strand having a diameter D1 has an area more than five times the mesh pore size, the mesh pore size being the average area of five pores serially adjacent to the pore.
 26. The device of claim 1, wherein the mesh comprises at least two types of strands, each strand having a round cross-section, a first type of strand being a radiopaque strand and having a diameter D1 and a second type of strand being a non-radiopaque strand and having a diameter D2, diameter D1 being larger than diameter D2, wherein the mesh comprises pores and when the mesh is at rest in free space no pore adjacent to a strand having a diameter D1 has an area more than two times the mesh pore size, the mesh pore size being the average area of five pores serially adjacent to the pore.
 27. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one radiopaque strand is made of homogeneous metal or metal alloy.
 28. The device of claim 27, wherein the at least one radiopaque strand is selected from the group consisting of strands made of gold, platinum, tungsten, tantalum, and alloys thereof.
 29. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one non-radiopaque strand is made of metal.
 30. The device of claim 29, wherein the at least one non-radiopaque strand is selected from the group consisting of strands made of stainless steel and nitinol.
 31. The device of claim 29, wherein the at least one non-radiopaque strand is superelastic.
 32. The device of claim 1, wherein the largest diameter of a strand is no more than five times the smallest diameter of a strand.
 33. The device of claim 1, wherein the largest diameter of a strand is no more than four times the smallest diameter of a strand.
 34. The device of claim 1, wherein the largest diameter of a strand is no more than two times the smallest diameter of a strand.
 35. The device of claim 16, wherein the largest diameter of a strand is no more than two times the smallest diameter of a strand.
 36. The device of claim 1, wherein the largest diameter of a strand is no more than 1.5 times the smallest diameter of a strand.
 37. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one radiopaque strand is a monofilament.
 38. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one non-radiopaque strand is a monofilament.
 39. The device of claim 10, wherein both the first and second types of strands are monofilaments.
 40. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one radiopaque strand is a multifilament wire.
 41. The device of claim 1, wherein at least one strand is a monofilament wire from which some material has been removed in the form of slots.
 42. The device of claim 1, wherein the at least one non-radiopaque strand is made of nitinol.
 43. A method of deploying a device for filtering emboli from blood flowing through a lumen defined by the walls of a vessel in a patient's body comprising: providing the device for filtering emboli, the device comprising a filter element being expandable from a collapsed configuration when the filter element is restrained to an expanded configuration when the filter element is unrestrained, wherein the filter element comprises a mesh comprising strands, each strand having a diameter, the mesh comprising at least one radiopaque strand and at least one non-radiopaque strand, and wherein each strand has an index of wire stiffness EI, where EI is the mathematical product of the Young's modulus (E) and the second moment of area (I), and wherein the largest EI of a strand is no more than five times the smallest El of a strand; delivering the device percutaneously to a region of interest in the lumen of the patient's body; and using fluoroscopy to visualize the filter element in the lumen of the patient's body.
 44. The method of claim 43, wherein the device further comprises an elongate support member and wherein the filter element is carried on a portion of the elongate support member.
 45. The method of claim 43, wherein the filter element has proximal and distal portions and a central portion, the filter element having a shape in the expanded configuration which defines a cavity having a proximal facing opening.
 46. The method of claim 45, wherein the filter element has a proximal facing opening portion and this portion is radiopaque.
 47. The method of claim 43, wherein the filter element is self-expanding.
 48. The method of claim 43, wherein the filter element is self-contracting.
 49. The method of claim 46, wherein the proximal facing opening portion of the filter element is visualized to confirm that this portion is adequately deployed against the walls of the vessel.
 50. The method of claim 43, wherein the at least one radiopaque strand is made of homogeneous metal or metal alloy.
 51. A mesh comprising strands, each strand having a diameter, the mesh comprising at least one radiopaque strand and at least one non-radiopaque strand, and wherein each strand has an index of wire stiffness EI, where EI is the mathematical product of the Young's modulus (E) and the second moment of area (I), and wherein the largest EI of a strand is no more than five times the smallest EI of a strand.
 52. The mesh of claim 51, wherein the mesh is tubular.
 53. The mesh of claim 52, wherein the mesh is braided.
 54. The mesh of claim 51, wherein the Young's modulus of the radiopaque strand and the Young's modulus of the non-radiopaque strand differ by 10 percent or more.
 55. The mesh of claim 51, wherein the Young's modulus of the radiopaque strand and the Young's modulus of the non-radiopaque strand differ by 20 percent or more.
 56. The mesh of claim 51, wherein the largest EI of a strand is no more than four times the smallest EI of a strand.
 57. The mesh of claim 51, wherein the largest EI of a strand is no more than two times the smallest EI of a strand.
 58. The mesh of claim 51, wherein the largest EI of a strand is no more than 1.5 times the smallest EI of a strand.
 59. The mesh of claim 51, wherein the largest EI of a strand is no more than 1.3 times the smallest EI of a strand.
 60. The mesh of claim 51, wherein the at least one radiopaque strand is made of homogeneous metal or metal alloy. 